ANDREI MARKOV – CANADIENS MASTERTON TROPHY NOMINEE

MONTREAL- The Montreal chapter of the Professionnal Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) announced today the selection of Montreal Canadiens’ defenseman Andrei Markov as the team’s candidate for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for the 2012-13 season. Canadiens’ forward Max Pacioretty was the award recipient in 2011-12.

The 34-year old Markov is completing his 12th NHL season. Throughout the season, he was a true example of perseverance and determination. Drafted by the Canadiens in the sixth round at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Markov has played the Canadiens’ 45 games so far this season, after missing 75 and 69 respectively in 2010-11 and 2011-12 due to injuries.

The Voskresensk, USSR native ranks tied for third among NHL defensemen in goals (9) and is tied for fifth in points (27). On the powerplay, Markov, who leads the NHL rearguards with eight goals, is tied for second with 14 helpers and ranks second with 22 points.

The Canadiens’ defenseman will now be in contention along with the league’s 29 other nominees.

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The winner is selected by a poll among the 30 chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season. The trophy honors the memory of Bill Masterton, a former Minnesota North Stars player who lost his life following an NHL game on January 15, 1968.